Beth Sherman
Leadership Communication Keynote Speaker

Helping teams build trust quickly to accelerate decisions, expand influence, and improve outcomes

In any interaction, people decide within seconds to engage fully — or not.

Drawing on 30 years as a professional comedian and 7x Emmy Award-winning comedy writer, Beth Sherman teaches teams the principles entertainers use to create emotional connection quickly, and how to apply those same principles to build clarity, trust, and momentum in sales, marketing, and leadership.

Where this content has the most impact

Beth’s keynotes and workshops are designed for moments where teams need to build trust quickly and communicate with clarity, especially when the stakes are high and time is limited.

Leadership & Executive Teams

When alignment needs to happen faster, decisions stall less, and influence must extend across senior stakeholders and functions.

Sales, Marketing & Client-Facing Teams

When trust and credibility need to be established quickly to move conversations forward, strengthen relationships, and win buy-in.

Internal Communications, HR & Culture Events

When teams need practical, human tools for connection, clarity, and engagement during periods of change or growth.

Trusted by global brands and professional audiences worldwide.

What bookers say after Beth’s keynotes

Leaders and event organizers consistently highlight the immediate impact on trust, clarity, and engagement.

Brilliant and engaging! Our colleagues went on to use her framework the very next day!
— Heineken
Beth’s talk was a masterclass in using humor to connect and persuade. She delivered practical, memorable tools that resonated deeply with our members.
— Institute of Practitioners of Advertising
Beth’s talk was much more than entertaining; it was thought-provoking and highly practical. She managed to challenge conventional thinking while keeping the room laughing, engaged, and motivated.
— Pride in Leadership Conference

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Popular keynotes

Accelerate Influence and Outcomes with Really Really Rapid Rapport (Really!)

Drawing on three decades as a comedian and 7x Emmy-winning writer, Beth Sherman teaches the essential leadership skill of the moment: building trust at speed. This keynote focuses on how trust actually forms in the first moments and how leaders can use humanity and intentional communication to create instant rapport at scale. Attendees learn a clear, repeatable framework for converting early trust into faster decisions, wider influence, stronger collaboration, and more effective outcomes across the organization.

Best for : Leadership, HR, culture and alignment events, executive audiences.

Have Them at Hello: Why Humor and Storytelling Build Trust and Influence Fast

In high-stakes conversations, leaders don’t have time to warm up a room. In this engaging keynote, 7-time Emmy-winning comedy writer and comedian Beth Sherman focuses on how humor and storytelling work in the first moments of an interaction to create connection and earn early buy-in. Attendees learn practical, immediately usable techniques for opening conversations, framing messages, and communicating with greater influence when it matters most.

Best for : Marketing, internal communications, sales audiences

Win the Room, Win the Deal: Selling with Trust at Speed

Sales conversations often start with skepticism. In this focused keynote, 7-time Emmy-winning comedy writer and comedian Beth Sherman shows how the same rapid rapport skills comedians use to win over skeptical audiences can be applied to sales. Attendees learn practical techniques for opening stronger, earning trust quickly, and creating the kind of human connection that accelerates decisions and drives better sales outcomes.

Best for : Sales kickoffs, revenue teams, client-facing roles, growth-focused events.

Optional add-ons:

Interactive masterclasses are available for all of the above as post-keynote or member-only deep-dive sessions.

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About Beth Sherman

A person with short, dark hair smiling, wearing a black top, against a pink background.

Beth Sherman is a leadership communication keynote speaker who helps teams build trust fast, turning early connection into clearer decisions, stronger influence, and better outcomes across organizations.

A 7x Emmy Award-winning comedy writer and veteran comedian, Beth brings a rare, real-world understanding of how rapport forms under pressure and how it can be used intentionally in business settings.

She honed her craft in environments where connection must happen instantly or nothing works, from live comedy stages to writing for global broadcasts and high-stakes events.

Today, Beth translates the skill comedians rely on most — rapid rapport — into a practical communication framework for teams navigating change and complexity. Her keynotes equip audiences to build trust quickly, reduce friction, and create momentum from the very first moments of any interaction.

The Ability to Build Trust Quickly Matters Now More Than Ever

Business now moves at the speed of trust. When trust forms quickly, decisions accelerate, alignment strengthens, and outcomes improve. When it doesn’t, conversations stall, resistance increases, and momentum is lost.

In a world of rapid change, constant distraction, and rising expectations, teams can’t afford slow starts or fragile relationships. The speed at which trust forms now determines the speed at which work gets done across decisions, influence, collaboration, and results.

When teams build trust quickly, everything accelerates. Communication becomes clearer. Buy-in happens earlier. Problems don’t escalate because the relationship is strong enough to absorb friction.

The ability to build trust and hold attention is not a soft skill. It is an essential skill and a competitive advantage.

Introducing Really Really Rapid Rapport™

Really Really Rapid Rapport™ is a practical communication framework that shows teams how to create genuine connection quickly and intentionally, without scripts or performance.

It is based on the same principles comedians rely on when they step onstage and have only seconds to bring a room of strangers onside. In comedy, if rapport doesn’t happen fast, nothing works. In business, the stakes are even higher.

You don’t need to be a comedian or a performer to create trust from hello. You need tools that make human connection simple, authentic, and repeatable in real-world business situations.

Really Really Rapid Rapport™ gives teams those tools.

Beth presenting at a conference called 'The BIG Conversation 2024,' with a large screen displaying tips for engaging an audience, including 'Connect Quickly,' 'Engage Fully,' and 'Leave 'Em Wanting More,' all marked with green check marks.

Let’s explore whether this is the right fit

If your team or membership need to build trust quickly, communicate with greater clarity, and create momentum from the very first moments, a short conversation can help determine whether this approach is right for you.

This is not a sales call. It’s a focused discussion about your audience, goals, and timing so you can make the right decision with confidence.

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Beth Sherman and a blonde woman with long hair smile joyfully as they take a selfie together at a conference. The blurred background reveals a seated audience and a large screen displaying “The BIG Conversation 2024.”

Listen to Beth’s podcast appearances